Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 16 Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yogah

Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yogah - The divine qualities lead to liberation, whereas the demoniac qualities are meant for bondage. Do not grieve, O Pandava, for you are born with divine qualities.

दैवी सम्पद्विमोक्षाय निबन्धायासुरी मता |
मा शुच: सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातोऽसि पाण्डव ||5||

The divine qualities lead to liberation, whereas the demoniac qualities are meant for bondage. Do not grieve, O Pandava, for you are born with divine qualities.

Daivi Sampad: Divine qualities leading to liberation.
Asuri Sampad: Demonic nature leading to bondage.
Nibandhaya: That which binds or restricts.

Divine qualities lead to liberation, while demoniac tendencies cause bondage. This simple yet profound contrast is central to Krishna’s teachings. The assurance that Arjuna possesses divine traits serves as encouragement, reinforcing that spiritual progress is determined by one’s qualities and choices rather than mere birth or status.

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Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yogah - There are two types of beings in this world—the divine and the demoniac. The divine has been described at length; now hear from Me about the demoniac, O Partha.

द्वौ भूतसर्गौ लोकेऽस्मिन्दैव आसुर एव च |
दैवो विस्तरश: प्रोक्त आसुरं पार्थ मे शृणु ||6||

There are two types of beings in this world—the divine and the demoniac. The divine has been described at length; now hear from Me about the demoniac, O Partha.

Bhuta-Sarga: Two types of beings, divine and demonic.
Asura: Demonic nature characterized by selfishness.
Daiva: Divine nature characterized by righteousness.

Krishna classifies humanity into two broad categories: the divine and the demoniac. This distinction goes beyond mythology, reflecting real psychological and moral orientations. While divine individuals align with truth and self-discipline, demoniac beings reject ethical principles, leading to chaos and suffering. The choice of path lies in one’s hands.

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Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yogah - Those with demoniac nature do not know what is right or wrong. There is no purity, truthfulness, or proper conduct found in them.

प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च जना न विदुरासुरा: |
न शौचं नापि चाचारो न सत्यं तेषु विद्यते ||7||

Those with demoniac nature do not know what is right or wrong. There is no purity, truthfulness, or proper conduct found in them.

Pravritti: Inclination towards action and engagement.
Nivritti: Withdrawal or renunciation.
Achara: Conduct or behavior in life.

A key characteristic of demoniac beings is their disregard for moral guidelines. Krishna highlights how such people lack not just religious discipline but also ethical integrity. Without inner purity, they become enslaved by impulses, unable to distinguish between right and wrong. This breakdown of values eventually erodes the foundation of society.

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Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yogah - They say: "The world is without truth, without a moral foundation, and without a God. It is produced by the union of male and female, and has no cause other than lust."

असत्यमप्रतिष्ठं ते जगदाहुरनीश्वरम् |
अपरस्परसम्भूतं किमन्यत्कामहैतुकम् ||8||

They say: "The world is without truth, without a moral foundation, and without a God. It is produced by the union of male and female, and has no cause other than lust."

Anishvaram: Denial of divine existence.
Kama-Haitukam: Driven by lust and desires.
Aparaspara-Sambhutam: Belief in creation without divine cause.

Krishna reveals the atheistic mindset of those with demoniac tendencies. By denying divine order, they justify immoral actions. This perspective is not just philosophical but deeply psychological—when people see life as random and meaningless, they act solely based on personal gain, leading to reckless and destructive behaviors.

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Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yogah - Holding fast to this view, these lost souls with small intellects, engage in terrible actions for the destruction of the world.

एतां दृष्टिमवष्टभ्य नष्टात्मानोऽल्पबुद्धय: |
प्रभवन्त्युग्रकर्माण: क्षयाय जगतोऽहिता: ||9||

Holding fast to this view, these lost souls with small intellects, engage in terrible actions for the destruction of the world.

Nashtatmanah: Those who have lost their real self.
Ugra-Karmanah: Engaging in cruel and destructive actions.
Ahitah: Harmful beings spreading disorder.

Having embraced materialism and selfishness, the demoniac destroy both themselves and others. Krishna describes how their misguided beliefs manifest as harmful actions, contributing to the world’s suffering. Their limited understanding leads to excessive greed and cruelty, proving that internal ignorance inevitably reflects in external chaos.

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Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yogah - Obsessed with insatiable desires, filled with hypocrisy, pride, and arrogance, they cling to false ideas and act with impure resolves.

काममाश्रित्य दुष्पूरं दम्भमानमदान्विता: |
मोहाद्गृहीत्वासद्ग्राहान्प्रवर्तन्तेऽशुचिव्रता: ||10||

Obsessed with insatiable desires, filled with hypocrisy, pride, and arrogance, they cling to false ideas and act with impure resolves.

Dushpuram: Insatiable desires that can never be satisfied.
Asad-Grahan: Holding onto false ideas.
Shuchi-Vratah: Impure vows and actions.

Deluded by pride and bound by uncontrolled desires, the demoniac act without wisdom. Krishna warns that arrogance and hypocrisy prevent self-reflection, making them blind to their own flaws. Such individuals pursue superficial success, believing that wealth and power bring fulfillment, unaware that inner emptiness will eventually consume them.

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Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yogah - They are gripped by innumerable worries, lasting until death. They consider sense gratification as the supreme goal, convinced that this is all there is to life.

चिन्तामपरिमेयां च प्रलयान्तामुपाश्रिता: |
कामोपभोगपरमा एतावदिति निश्चिता: ||11||

They are gripped by innumerable worries, lasting until death. They consider sense gratification as the supreme goal, convinced that this is all there is to life.

Chintam: Endless worries and anxieties.
Pralaya-Antam: Extending until the end of life.
Nishchitah: Firmly convinced in a materialistic way.

Krishna describes how demoniac individuals remain trapped in endless anxieties, constantly chasing external security. Their vision is shortsighted—concerned only with accumulating material wealth, they fail to see the fleeting nature of existence. This anxiety-driven lifestyle ensures they remain restless, never experiencing true peace or fulfillment.

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